Escape's "The Second Shot" was "based on a classic story" by Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870). They don't tell us which one, but it appears to be based on the short story "Zodmirsky's Duel." Escape's version is so loosely based on this story that it is more "in the spirit" of Dumas, but it is a well written episode. The Suspense television show presented an episode called "The Duel" in 1953 and it too, appears to be loosely based on the same short story. If you want to read "Zodmirsky's Duel" it is available online at The Daily Pulp.
As the episode opens, two men are taking their places in a pistol duel. They count off their paces and bang! Lt. Daumier wins the duel. His opponent, one of his own comrades, lies dead.
Afterwards, Daumier is called into the colonel's office for an official interview. He is told that his record is impressive, but his habit of getting into constant duels and killing his fellow soldiers is a problem. All Lt. Daumier seems to care about is defending his honor, and the colonel warns him not to start any more duels. Lt. Daumier then starts a challenge to the colonel, but backs down when he is told that threatening an officer is a crime. Lt. Daumier then asks if it is a crime to issue a challenge to an officer for personal reasons. The answer is no.
The colonel wishes that Lt. Daumier would grow up and hopes that the coming campaign against the Austrians will calm him down.
Later, the colonel is invited to a dinner by a fellow officer and meets the beautiful Marian. He quickly falls for her, and Marian accepts his attention, but seems hesitant.
What she hasn't told him is that she once exchanged rings with someone else! As it turns out, the man with whom she was previously involved was Lt. Daumier.
When Lt. Daumier finds out that Marian is now involved with the colonel, he calls for a duel!
"The Second Shot" was written by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnnell. John Dehner starred. Also appearing were Vic Perrin, Ellen Morgan, Ben Wright, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen, and Lou Krugman. This episode aired on March 25, 1954.
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Below is a clip from the Suspense television show's version, which aired a year earlier on April 21, 1953.
(Image of Alexandre Dumas (pere) from Wikipedia)
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